AQHA Issues Statement Regarding Suspended Cutters Competing at World Show

The American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), in response to questions about two suspended cutters, released a statement on Thursday explaining why the two riders – Ed and Brandon Dufurrena – were allowed to compete at the 2018 Lucas Oil AQHA World Championship Show while under sanction by the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA).

Ed also competed at the AQHA World Show, riding multiple horses in the Junior Cutting.

According to the statement emailed Thursday afternoon to Quarter Horse News, the AQHA’s reciprocity agreement with the NCHA – which allows it to suspend members disciplined by the cutting organization – does not cover violations the Dufurrenas were accused of committing. The AQHA also typically doesn’t weigh in on cases where litigation is still pending, which the Amarillo, Texas-based organization says is the case.

“The NCHA suspension of Brandon Dufurrena (together with his father Ed Dufurrena and his sister Rieta Dufurrena) stemmed from alleged violations of NCHA’s Non-Professional Rules,” the statement said. “Therefore, the NCHA suspension falls outside of the reciprocity agreement with AQHA, since it did not involve a violation for prohibited drugs, unsportsmanlike conduct or inhumane treatment.”